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More than 1,200 area children will participate in 'Mosaic Mania' project

DETROIT LAKES - More than 1,200 students in grades 3-6 are taking part in an area-wide art project, "Mosaic Mania! Breaking Glass, Expanding Minds."

The project is intended to promote creativity among youth and will showcase the area's commitment to the arts. It will culminate in a display and silent auction at the "Capital for a Day" community picnic scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at the DL City Park and Pavilion.

Detroit Lakes was chosen to be "Capital for a Day" as part of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Celebration, and the surrounding areas that contribute to the success and beauty of the region will also be a big part of the celebration.

Classrooms of students from Lake Park-Audubon, Circle of Life, Frazee, Waubun-Ogema, Perham and Detroit Lakes have all been invited to take part in the project. They will work with glass artist Becky Mitchell to create floral, landscape, lake scenes and other nature designs. Each class will work together on one window, and each child will also make a smaller project to take home.

Mitchell, the creative force behind "Mosaic Mania," is also employed by the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center. She has been doing glasswork for more than 10 years, and has worked with hundreds of children through the DLCCC's After School Program and in the Otsego School District in Ohio.

"It's an art form that most of the people and students in our area would not otherwise be exposed to," Mitchell says. "It's always heartwarming to for me to see how each child takes the project and makes it their own."

All money raised from the windows will go back to support our children's programming at the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center. The DLCCC operates an After School Program in which children participate in hands-on arts and fitness activities.

Also, the Holmes Theatre presents between 4-6 children's shows each year, and offers reduced rate tickets to more than 7,000 kids. Touring groups have come from as far as Washington, D.C., and New York City to perform on the Holmes stage for young audiences.

Various businesses have donated supplies for the art project. Most of the glass was donated by Kokomo Glass, with additional pieces provided by Ace Hardware in Moorhead, the Glass Doctor, Detroit Paint and Glass, Lynette Conmy of Jack Chivers Realty and The Glass Lady. Glue was donated by Weldbond Corporation and Beug's Ace Hardware. Other area businesses are also invited to support the project by sponsoring a class's projects for $100.

For more information, contact Becky Mitchell at 218-844-4221 Ext. 117 or e-mail boxoffice@dlccc.org.